Joey Chestnut is returning to the iconic Coney Island hot dog eating contest this summer, following a one-year absence due to a sponsorship disagreement. The 16-time champion confirmed the news on social media, expressing his excitement about competing again on Independence Day.
“This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition and a huge part of my life,” said the 41-year-old, who holds multiple world records in competitive eating, including the all-time high of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, set in 2021.
In 2024, Chestnut was barred from the event after entering a partnership with a plant-based meat company, which the contest organizers considered a breach of exclusivity. Chestnut stated he had no binding contract preventing such deals and criticized the organizers for altering past agreements.
Though the organizing body signaled willingness to reinstate him if the partnership ended, Chestnut declined to return without an apology. Instead, he held an alternative competition at a military base in Texas, where he consumed 57 hot dogs in five minutes, outperforming a team of four soldiers.
Throughout the year, Chestnut remained active. In September, he faced off against his longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a special rematch, where he broke his own record by eating 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Now, after what he described as “differences in interpretation,” Chestnut and the organizers have found common ground, enabling his return to the main event. He clarified that although he works with various brands, Nathan’s remains the only hot dog company he has ever officially endorsed.
Chestnut’s return is expected to reinvigorate interest in the contest, especially as he faces off against the current titleholder, Patrick Bertoletti, who consumed 58 hot dogs in the previous edition.
The contest, first officially held in 1972, has grown into a major televised spectacle, attracting tens of thousands in person and a wide digital audience. With Chestnut back in the spotlight, organizers and fans alike anticipate a high-energy celebration on July 4th.
